Salamanca, New York - After several years of struggling with the diminishment of life caused by Parkinson's Disease, Donna Daugherty passed into rest on March 30, 2026 at the Salamanca Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Salamanca, NY. Her death marks the termination of a wonderful physical presence but her loving spirit continues to bless.

Donna was born on August 2, 1945 in the Williamsport Hospital, Williamsport, PA. Her parents, then residents of South Renovo, PA, were Olivette (Wertz) and Ralph Daugherty. She was greeted into the family by brothers Ralph, Jr. and Raymond and five years later they would be joined by sister Mary Jane.

Nine years later in 1954, Donna and her family moved from South Renovo to Lockport, NY where her father had secured employment with Harrison Radiator Company (General Motors). Introduced to a big new world, she attended and graduated from Newfane Central School in 1964.

Education beyond high school included matriculation at Central College, Roberts Wesleyan College, and Asbury College culminating in an Early Childhood degree from Clarion University.

Interspersed with college attendance were several instances of short- term employment at various businesses such as New Process (now Blair Clothing) in Warren, PA: Grand Valley in Titusville, PA: Joy Mining Company in Franklin, PA: and Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY. She was involved mostly in office work such as data entry as a key punch operator.

Her final, most lengthy, and most significant occupation was working in pre-school programs at the YMCA and Little Lambs in Lockport. These were the years of greatest fulfillment for her. She was finally able to teach and work with children. There she was much respected and appreciated.

Having established a home there, Donna lived for several years in Newfane, NY where she cared for her parents in their final years as well as being a very supportive big sister and Aunt to Mary Jane and her family.

As her health began to fail in the early stages of Parkinson's - Dementia, she sold her home and moved to Clintonville, PA where she was graciously and generously supported by her cousin Arlene and her husband Don McDaniels. After three years and continued decline, Donna submitted to the inevitable and moved into an assisted living facility at Heritage Village in Gerry, NY in 2021.

After another two years, Donna was moved into Nursing Care where she resided until sadly Heritage Village was forced to discontinue its years of ministry. The final three weeks of her life were spent at the Salamanca Nursing Center.

Inevitably, her demise and passing were difficult, of course. But her legacy of grace and kindness will be fondly recalled by all who knew her. As a daughter, she was a blessing to her parents. As a sister, she was a joy and a tease as she very capably held her own when necessary. As a family member she was always welcomed and appreciated, especially by the children who knew Aunt Donna being around meant a good time of games and activities. Her engaging smile and infectious laugh, sometimes hysterical, are certainly etched in our memories of family gatherings.

Donna was always eager to play a game of carroms or any number of board games. An enthusiastic jigsaw puzzler, she always had a puzzle under construction and couldn't resist helping anyone who had one in the works. She loved yard games such as crochet or badminton. She enjoyed playing tennis and especially watching tennis competitions on television. The Olympic Games held her attention from beginning to end. For quiet entertainment she read avidly from her expanding collection of historical and romantic works. Watching old movies and classic television shows was a favorite pastime.

At a height of maybe five feet and of a shy disposition, Donna would pass as a quiet little woman. However, she could be very assertive and progressive. She was a doer, the first in the family to have the latest games such as Packman, or a word processer, or an 8-track, or a computer. Again, in spite of her shyness, she liked to take adventurous road trips to new and distant places with friends or family members.

Although not a religious zealot, Donna adhered in practice to the spiritual values she was able to glean from her conservative Christian upbringing in the Free Methodist Church. Her faith consisted of living her spiritual values. She practiced the Golden Rule caring about others and treating them with respect.

One of her constant mantras during the last several years was that she wanted to return "home" to the Renovo area. Now that wish will be fulfilled as her earthly remains will be interred in the Gospel Camp Cemetery in Hammersley Fork, just a mile down the hollow from the old Daugherty Farm outside of Renovo.

Donna was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Olivette (Wertz), and her sister Mary Jane. She is survived by her brothers, Ralph, Jr. (Marilyn) of Butler, PA, and Ray (Carol) of Fredonia, NY. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and cousins and her last remaining Aunt - Twila Daugherty - who just recently celebrated her 102nd birthday after renewing her driver's license for six years.

Arrangements entrusted to Jordan Funeral Home Sinclairville, NY.

Family and friends were of great importance to Donna. She would often promote the idea of getting people together. Family reunions and other such gatherings always excited her. And so, appropriately, a memorial gathering in her honor is being planned for June 20, 2026 at a place to be determined in the Fredonia, NY area. She would have loved it!

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